From Denmark to the U.S.: What We Can Learn from a World-Class Cycling Culture (and the change that’s already happening, if you know where to look)
- Carly Gavant
- Aug 4
- 7 min read
In 2008, Copenhagen, Denmark was named the world’s first official Bike City by the International Cycling Union. In 2015, it surpassed Amsterdam as the most bicycle-friendly city in the world, according to the Copenhagenize Index, a top ranking index for urban cycling. There are many reasons why the city has earned this title and kept it for over a decade. This article will examine these reasons and dissect their potential for execution in larger, more car-centric American cities.
How was Copenhagen able to achieve such change?
Copenhagen hasn’t always been a biking capital. In fact, post-WWII in the 1950s and 60s, the city embraced many American-inspired, car-centric urban planning strategies. Roads were expanded, bike lanes were removed, and plans to replace local neighborhoods with major highway networks came very close to fruition. Then, in 1962, Copenhagen made a revolutionary decision to introduce a two year trial run of closing traffic on one of their main thoroughfares, famously known as Strøget, to combat congestion. By doing so, they limited the street for solely pedestrian usage and forever changed the dynamic of its city center. A small, temporary change ignited a ripple effect for hundreds of historic changes throughout the decades to come. In 1973, Denmark faced a national energy crisis overnight, when a global oil company quadrupled their prices on the country. However, instead of resorting to traditional planning solutions and remaining stuck in their ways, the country as a whole shifted their planning towards the future, investing in infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation like bikes and buses. A decision made out of pure necessity led to a transformation of an entire society. Copenhagen went from car-centric and congested to a leading example of sustainable progress and success. Today, Copenhagen continues to set their sights even higher, aiming to target net-zero carbon emissions by the year 2030.
Reason #1: Investing in Infrastructure - Efficiency as a Leading Motivator
Copenhagen is a major cosmopolitan city. Denmark’s capital and home to 1.4 million residents including its surrounding urban districts, the city is frequently referred to as a “City Built for People”. With that, over 60% of residents commute to work on a bike daily, no matter the time of year or weather. And the numbers explain why; on average, biking is 5-20 minutes faster than driving to the same destination. In the city center, where space is most limited, a combination of designated bike lanes, bridges, and synchronized traffic lights optimizes commuting time. On any given block, there is bike parking infrastructure, making it easy for those commuting on bike to dock and lock in less than 60 seconds.
Economically, choosing the bicycle in the city is a no-brainer. There is no need to pay for parking, gas, oil changes, you get the gist. Investing in this type of infrastructure is an economical ‘win-win’ for both the city and its residents by lowering traffic rates, promoting a cleaner environment, improving public health, preventing fatal accidents, and saving money in many different facets of life beyond just transportation costs.
Reason #2: A Rule-Abiding Cyclist Culture: Riders’ ‘Safety First’ Attitudes
When taking a ride down a major commuting street in Copenhagen compared to one in any American city, there are a few differences that really stand out. First, rain or shine, you will still see most residents biking to work in Copenhagen. In the U.S., especially within east coast states, many people use the excuse that biking every day is not a realistic expectation to have in colder months. But if you were to ask the Danes, they have quite a resilient mentality towards the weather. In Denmark, they have a common saying which is that “there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing”. Another major difference is that in the Danish capital, there is sure to be rush hour bike traffic, likely even more than in the car lanes. Third, at every traffic light, there is a smaller one for bikes that turns green a few seconds earlier than the cars’, allowing bikes to have a headstart above turning vehicles. Lastly, there is a huge cultural difference between the US and Denmark, and that's the rule-abiding people.
In Copenhagen, safety of bike users is always top of mind, and everyone uses their respective hand signals appropriately. Left hand out to the left indicates a left turn, right hand to the right for a right turn, and the coolest signal, a left hand up to indicate stop, part of an entire rolodex of non-verbal cues for commuting cyclists. And what’s great is that these signals are universal, meaning anyone from anywhere can come to Copenhagen and feel a part of the cycling culture. Every street is well-lit, and making left turns is a big no-no. No matter how late they are for work, a Copenhagener will never make a left turn from the middle of the street. Instead, they lift their hand to indicate a stop, cross straight ahead, and wait until the next light turns green to make their initial left turn. It may seem like a hassle to most of us Americans, but it is well worth the few extra seconds to them, further illustrating differing priorities held throughout the world.
Copenhagen is also known for their safety-first street design which has extremely lowered the number of traffic-related injuries and deaths in the city. A ‘green wave’ of traffic lights are timed at intersections so cyclists can cruise through without frequent stopping. Curbs and planter boxes are dispersed throughout the city to provide actual safety barriers from vehicles, increasing the general feeling of safety for users throughout each borough.
Lastly, another major rule of the safest cycling culture in the world is wearing helmets. Everywhere you turn in the city, from the outskirts of Norrebro to the waterfront communities like Sluseholmen, everyone, and I mean everyone, wears a helmet. From no peddle bike riders to the oldest of the bunch, the Danes will never be seen leaving the house without this form of protection. This collective responsibility, along with their array of chic Scandinavian helmet options, makes wearing a helmet feel not only necessary, but actually cool to do. Yet another reason why Copenhagen is well-deserving of their title of the safest, and chicest, cycling city in the world.
Reason #3: Inclusion, Safety, and Representation on Wheels
Another major explanation for Copenhagen’s successful, cyclist-centric urban environment is their overall inclusion of different cyclist groups. In a study conducted by Copenhagenize, an international reference for all things bicycle mobility, they found that generally, 55% of cyclists in Copenhagen are female. This number is a clear reflection of the city’s safe and inclusive urban design strategies. In most other global cities, male commuters consistently outweigh females. The number decreases even further in developing countries, where women make up as low as 2% of all cyclists. In major U.S. cities, men are three times more likely to bike than women. These disparities suggest that many cycling environments are perceived as unsafe by significant portions of the population, especially women. Copenhagen’s equal gender split of riders, on the contrary, proves that its infrastructure successfully accommodates cyclists of all ages, genders, and abilities, making cycling a practical and comfortable transportation option for a much broader range of people. This also helps to explain why in Copenhagen, commuters cycle a total daily average of 894,000 miles, and bicycles consistently outweigh cars five to one.
U.S. Comparison and Potential Applications of the Copenhagenize Approach
Denmark’s cycling culture doesn’t have to be a solely European model. Boston, another historical coastal city, shares roughly the same size and population as the Danish capital. Seattle and Denver aren’t far off either. The main difference between Danish and American governments is where funding and vision planning are prioritized. Over a period of just 20 years, Copenhagen has built 17 bridges dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians, making a massive investment in the city’s sustainable future. Within this investment, they have also installed specialized cyclist traffic lights, well-designed parking spaces (such as the lowered bicycle beds at Norreport station that prevent obstructed views for pedestrians), and built-in footrest railings at several busy intersections.
The city was able to achieve their goal of being a leading global biking capital due to a combination of both small and large long-term investments. While major changes were in effect, many little steps were also taken for Copenhagen to truly achieve its goals. Simple, cost-effective solutions made a huge difference, such as adding blue paint to the bike lanes at intersections and implementing signage limiting driving to certain hours, encouraging pedestrians to take back the streets while ensuring a safe public environment.
If you’re interested in learning more about Denmark’s cycling culture and infrastructural solutions, you can check out the Cycling Embassy of Denmark for more information.
Action Items: What You Can Do to Help
You may read through this article and think well, that’s nice for Denmark, but my city will never be able to achieve this level of safety or cyclist centric culture, so why bother trying. But, keep reading, because hope is far from lost. We may not see helmet-wearing trends pop up anytime soon, but there are many important initiatives taking place throughout the U.S. that are investing millions into safer streets for the future.
Major bicycle path networks and greenways are currently being installed throughout the United States. In New Jersey, the North Jersey Trail Network Initiative has installed over 20 miles of protected bike lane pathways spanning 6 of the state’s densest counties. In New York City, projects are underway in all five boroughs to add to their 555 protected bike lanes throughout the city. The East Side Greenway 14th Street Connector, for example, is a $163 million dollar project constructing protected bike lanes along Manhattan’s east side. In Florida, the Coast-to-Coast trail, 250 miles of paved roads for biker and pedestrian usage, is 88% completed.
There are also opportunities for youth to get involved in investing in their future. The National Youth Bike Council hosts an annual Youth Bike Summit, and they even accept board member applications on a rolling basis. You can apply here if you or someone you know is interested.
There are so many opportunities to be a part of the change happening every day, particularly at the local level. Here is a list of cyclist coalitions and committees in major cities like New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Florida, Texas, and California. Find one near you today and get involved with transit advocates in your community. Change is really just a click away!
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